A nurse has designed a comfort box to help families whose loved ones are nearing the end of their lives.

Rosie Akhtyar, from Accrington, who is a staff nurse and ‘bereavement champion’ at Royal Blackburn Hospital came up with the idea - which assembles a collection of spiritual items from different faiths.

The project has now been named ‘Rosie’s Box’ and is used on the hospital’s Acute Medical Unit A. It includes holy books, inspirational poems, rosary and prayer beads, a prayer mat, a tea service and incense.

Rosie, 31, who lives on Blackburn Road, Accrington, hopes the gift provides comfort to people during what is a “devastating” time for patients and families.

She said: “End of life is a very special time for the patient and loved ones. It is important for nurses to understand end of life needs and provide the best possible care and compassion for the patient and family. We have one chance to get it right.”

The former Rhyddings Enterprise School pupil, whose niece Kheran is also a nurse at the hospital, thought up the box as a way to offer extra support and help to answer family members’ questions when their loved one is dying.

She said: “When I qualified two years ago and began working on a busy acute unit, dealing with poorly patients, I felt that breaking bad news and death was my weak point.

“It would make me feel very emotional for patients and relatives communicating that their loved one had hours to live.

“The extra knowledge and skills help me feel confident when communicating with patients and families.”

Recent additions to the box include a CD player to help family members relax, spiritual verse and poetry, muslin bags for valuables and locks of hair and helpful information about palliative support, organ donation and the hospital’s chaplaincy service.

Practice educator Debbie Jennings added: “We want to say a big ‘thank you’ to colleagues and everyone who has donated items for Rosie’s Box, including Pendleside Hospice and the hospital’s chaplaincy service.

“Since Rosie’s Box was created it has been used by a lot of families who tell us how much they value our respect for their privacy, dignity and religious and cultural beliefs, as well as showing kindness and concern when giving care.”